Around Anglezarke Reservoir, White Coppice and Healy Nab 28th September 2013

Heading along the East side of Upper Rivington Reservoir.

White Coppice Cricket Ground.

At our lunch spot on Grey Heights.

Anglezarke Reservoir, looking in need of a drop of water.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.4 miles. Climb: 762'.

Time: 4 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike, Celia and Elaine G.

Overall this was just about perfect for a day out in the countryside, and lots of others thought so too. We saw lots of D of E groups as well as some of their teachers trying to keep track of them, and arriving back at the Lower Barn Car park, people were everywhere, it was a good job we all arrived well before 10-00 a.m.

 The birds seen or heard on the walk were few and far between, it's a good job the company was good!

 We arrived at the White Coppice Cricket ground a little earlier than expected, no cricket, but they had opened their club house and were selling refreshments to walkers passing through.

 We arrived at the entrance to find that the paths were now well marked, something that had been done since our last visit a few years ago.

  Lunch was taken sitting on the stones around the cairn on Great Heights, with good views over Chorley and towards Hurst Hill and Anglezarke Moor.

 Overall a very pleasant walk, almost a stroll around this series of reservoirs, all of which seemed in need of lots of water.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Wood nuthatch, European robin, Mallard, Canada goose, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Common buzzard, Moorhen, Chaffinch, Common blackbird, Common starling, Sparrowhawk and Pied wagtail.

 It was good to see Elaine and catch up with the latest news about her family. We saw lots of people, none were pupils that new us, however as it was part of Elaine's local patch, she did encounter one that knew her! Hopefully the next time we walk in the Bolton area, Jon and Paul will be able to join us too.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Chesterfields Inn, where we sat outside, basking in the weak sunshine, but still pleasantly warm.

Around the Ystrad Valley and Foxhalls 26th September 2013

All but one of the group heading downhill!

Heading across the fields towards Segrwyd.

The gatemen bringing up the rear, with the Clwydians in the background.

Dr. Samuel Johnson's Monument by the Afon Ystrad.

The Afon Ystrad from our lunch spot.

One of our many views of Denbigh Castle.

Walk stats: 11.0 miles. Climb: 921' (Not wind assisted!).
Time: 5 hours 19 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h. (Our fastest for some time!).
Group: Martyn, Sue and Dave P., Tim, David S., Celia and Annie H.
Posted a little later than usual on getting home after a walk, , my priorities today were to clean the soles of my boots!
 Arriving at the car park and as we were putting our boot on about 10 other walkers went past, some of which were doing a 5 day walk along the Clwydian Way, and put most of  us to shame as they were all wearing shorts and bare legs!
  We set off today, confident that we wouldn't get much Sun, but at least we wouldn't get wet and it wouldn't be cold, and this is what we got.
 This is always a good walk, especially the part that explores the Ystrad Valley. We had good views of Denbigh castle at various times on the walk, but the best was probably near then as we approached the final stile for the day!
Lunch was take on the banks of the Ystrad very close to the Dr. Joinson Monument, a delightful spot, and you could see why he spent a lot of time there.
  Our walk to Foxalls, or at least the return route from there, was very memorable for the number of stiles (most of then not too easy to negotiate) and number of cows that we encountered, and their deposits that clung to our boots, necessitated priority cleaning at the end of the day.
Birds seen or heard today included: Wood nuthatch, European robin, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Eurasian jay, Black-billed magpie, Common pheasant and Common buzzard.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, where the Lees bitter, tasted particularly good and we learned that the current landlords would be there at least for another 3 years.

Walks and Dates September 2013

Updated on 22nd September 2013.

Thursday 5th September 2012.

Gloddaeth Hall and Bryn Pydew.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: Marl Hall Wood Car Park on the outskirts of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH 799787.
Directions to get to the car park. Leave the A55 at Junction 19 and follow the A470 towards Llandudno. At a roundabout turn right signposted to Esgryn / Pydew. Go past Esgryn Road to find a small car park on the right.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llandudno".  These walks explore the area around St. David's College that we normally visit on our Little Orme walks.  In addition, we will take a short there and back extension to visit the obelisk that we see clearly as we travel along the A55.

Saturday 7th September 2013. 
No walk.

Old Highways South of Druid. 
This walk will replace the Lake Vyrnwy Walk on 21st September 2013.  

Distance: 8 - 10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Layby on A549, 1 mile West of its junction with A5 and East of Glas-yr-Afon, Glass Bloberry. Grid ref: SJ02974261.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m. (8-30 a.m. by negotiation)
This walk is taken from R.J.A. Dutton's book "Hidden Highways of North Wales". It explores a  Roman road, a hill fort, a Medieval road and an old coach road. The extension explores roads and byways North of Glan-yr-Afon. Includes Ty-tan-y-dderwyn, Cefn-eithin and Llwyn-ithel.

Thursday 12th September 2013.
Owain Glyndwr's Mount, Nant Friddisel and Moel Fferna.

Distance: 8-10 miles; Climb: 2262' at a guess.
Start: Pont Carrog. Grid ref: SJ115437.
Leave Chester 9-0 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llangollen and The Dee Valley", along with an extension to visit the summit of our old friend Moel Fferna. The exact approach and route of descent will be decided on the day depending on the weather conditions!
Most of my birthday fruit cake has already been eaten, but there is probably enough for this week as well, but make sure you let me know that your coming, so that I can cut the cake into enough pieces!
After walk drinks will be at the Grouse Inn at Carrog, unless anyone can suggest anywhere better!

Saturday 14th September 2013.

Looks like I'm Billy No Mates again, Chester are playing away, so I might have to bake a fruit cake! 
The Roaches and Lud's Church.

Distance: 9 -10 miles. Climb: 2000'.
Start: Roadside parking below the Roaches North of Upper Hulme. Grid ref: SK004621.
Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m.  (8-30 a.m. by negotiation)
This walk is taken from the Pathfinder Guide to the Peak District.  The Roaches has become one of our annual favourite walks, but this route is one that we have only done once before.  It includes the main Roaches ridge, and possibly Hen Cloud. The planned return route will be back along Black Brook. Can be boggy, especially on the lower route back from Lud's Church.

Thursday 19th September 2013.

A Clwydian Trio

Distance: 9 miles; Climb:1900' '.

Start: Pentre-celyn car park . Grid ref: SJ150534.

The car parking area is on the left adjacent to the sign for Pentre-celyn, just off the B5429.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This is another walk by Debbie Hamilton and is taken from the "Walking" magazine. This walk includes the section of Offa's Dyke Path goes near Moel y Plas, Moel Gyw, Moel Llanfair and Boncyn y Waen-grogen. Her walk starts from Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, but we will start at Pentre Celyn about half a mile beyond Graigfechan.

Saturday 21st September 2013. 

As for Saturday 7th September 2013.
See above for details.
Walk postponed - Billy no Mates again!
All Around Lake Vyrnwy. 
This walk will now be put on the list in Summer 2014.

Distance: 14 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Llanwyddyn car park on the South side of the dam. Grid ref: SJ017190.

Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.

This is another walk taken from "Walkers Britain - Volume 2".  I've wanted to do this walk for some time, but never got round to it.  It is a slightly longer walk than usual, so I thought we'd better do it before my legs tell me that attempting that sort of distance is unrealistic!  The walk is described as a moderate walk with two climbs. It also describes a wide variety of bird life around the edges, so it may be worthwhile bringing binoculars if you have them.

Thursday 26th September 2013.

It is with great disappointment that I have decided to change the walk on the 26th September 2013. 
Not everyone in the group counts the Llantysilio Ridge as one of their favourite walks! The new walk is below.

Around the Ystrad Valley and Foxhalls.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb:1200'.
Start: Layby just outside Denbigh on the A543 Pentrefoelas Road. The layby is just after the road out of Denbigh makes a right angled left bend.  Grid ref: SJ043660.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk is based on two of Dave Berry's walks from his book " Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".
The first time that we did both of these walks it ended up being more than 13 miles, but on this occasion we will miss out bits from each which should reduce the walk to about 10 miles.
 This walk explores the wooded Ystrad Valley and passes houses associated with Dr. Johnson and Beatrix Potter. The second walk explores the countryside South of Foxhall Newydd, a 16th century house owned by John Panton, Recorder of Denbigh. If we are observant, we should be able to see the outline of an Iron-age enclosure, but we haven't spotted it on earlier walks.

Saturday 28th September 2013.

Around Anglezark Reservoir and More.

Distance: 8-11 miles. Climb: 1200!

Start:Car park and picnic site, Rivington Park Lower Barn. Grid ref: SD628138.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

This walk is based on a walk from Terry Marsh's book "Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire". His part of the walk is described as being on generally good paths and tracks, but can be muddy! The extensions will result in the whole walk going past 5 reservoirs. It will probably be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you.
The route includes White Coppice and Healey Nab.
Last time we walked in this area it was in November 2010, so the birds that we see and hear will be probably be different, and hopefully the weather will be warmer!

A Pentrecelyn Walk in the Clwydians 19th September 2013

A promise of better weather to come.

"Oh no, we've lost Roger"

The path along Boncyn y Waen-grogen.

Waiting for a view on Moel y Plas.

At the cairn on Moel y Plas.

Setting of after lunch on the Boncyn Banhadlan on the East side of Mol Llanfair.

Is this one of the sculptures on the Art Trail?

The Clwydian Hills the East side of Coed Henblas near Graigfechan.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 2000' (probably a little on the high side).

Time: 5 hours 1 minute. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h. (we must have had too long for lunch!).

Group: Martyn, David S., Phil, Annie H., Roger, Sue and Michel.

Showers in the morning and good after lunch were on the forecast, so we set off with waterproofs on. In reality we only really needed them for about half an hour as we approached Moel y Plas, where visibility was so poor, that only three actually went to the cairn, and one only went to retrieve the others!

 Lunch time on the East side of Moel Llanfair was the turning point, and the Sun came out, the waterproofs came off and we could bask in the warm Sunshine as we ate our lunch.

  On our return route from, we decided to explore a few new (to us) paths that headed for Llwyn Sinnet and eventually down to Graig before going into Coed Henblas.

  Knowing my keen interest in ornithology as Roger and I  were approaching the track above Tyddyn Ucha, Michel shouts "is that a pair of Blue tits?" It wasn't until I looked through my monocular in the direction he was pointing, that I realised what he meant!

  We assume it was one of the pieces being displayed as part of the "Art Trail", signposted on the road as we headed towards Mold.

Despite the overgrown path along the East side of Coed Henblas, we eventually reached the main track and a gentle stroll back to the car.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Raven, Common snipe, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, House sparrow, Woodpigeon and Wheatear.

 Overall a good walk, ans one that will be repeated in the future, hopefully on a day when we get a better view from Moel Llanfair.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Gold Cape in Mold, where a brew from Purple Moose went down well.

Owain Glyndwr's Mount, Moel Fferna and Nant Friddisel 12th September 2013

The view from Owain Glyndwr's Mount.

Spot the three that climbed to the top of Owain Glyndwr's Mount.

Just starting lunch at the cairn /shelter on Moel Fferna.

Well into lunch at the cairn /shelter on Moel Fferna.

The call of the Grouse was too much, so once again we didn't make it to the Pen y Grog quarry.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 1510'.

Time: 5 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Fran, Phil, Roger, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Sue and Dave P.

With the prospect of a good warm and dry day, just two of the group believed the forecast and wore shorts, both were thankful that they did! My only regret was that I had taken my sun hat out of my rucksack and put a pair of mitts in their place!
This walk involved the most climbing for some time, but the ascent was taken on a route that never involved any really steep sections. We arrived at the summit of of Moel Fferna, as usual just in time for lunch. The views today were superb, particularly the Eglwyseg Escarpments, that looked quite stunning when the sun was shining on them.
 As it was so pleasant, we had a longer than usual lunch, just to enjoy the superb vista for a little longer.  As there was 9 of us, the last 6 pieces of fruit cake had to be made into 9, so most of the group had little more than a mouthful to celebrate visiting Moel Fferna on lovely day.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Red grouse, Kingfisher, Barn swallow, Goldfinch, Carrion crow, raven, Common buzzard, Meadow pipit, Blue tit, Goldfinch, Common pheasant, Woodpigeon and Wheatear.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Grouse Inn at Carrog, where we sat outside, enjoying a Lees bitter and being entertained by a dog racing up and down the river bank opposite, what it was chasing we will never know.

Upton-by-Chester County High School - News

Carole Bowness.
Funeral Arrangements.

Many of you who have been at Upton-by-Chester County high School from the 1970s, will remember Carole (PHU), and some of you will have seen her at one of the Christmas meals more recently.

Sadly Carole passed away today (5th September 2013),.
 Yet another of our colleagues that has been battling against cancer for some time, but finally succumbed.

I will post details about the funeral arrangements as soon as I get them.

I am sure our condolences and thoughts are with her daughter, Debbie and the rest of her family at this sad time.
Carole's funeral will take place on 
Tuesday 18th September 2013
at Blacon Crematorium at 15-20. 

Bryn Pydew, Coed Brungarth and Gloddaeth Hall 5th September 2013

An interesting fungus on Hazel.

At the Bryn Pydew Obelisk.

A men's only walk, but who took the photo?

The Conwy Valley from the road South of Bryn Pydew.

The Bryn Pydew Obelisk, from the road South of Bryn Pydew.

A Ladies only walk.
Not really, one of them took the photo at the obelisk.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 m.p.h. Climb: 1047'.

Time: 4 hours 43 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Wendy, Celia, Fran, Annie H., Roger, Sue and Michel.

The weather today, was a little on the damp side, not quite rain, but still feeling wet. Thankfully it wasn't cold and and the wak did finish with the Sun doing its best to shine! 

 Our first objective was to visit the Bryn Pydew Obelisk, that gave us "superb" views towards Conwy castle and the Conwy Valley.

 Lunch was taken on edge of Coed Brungarth taking advantage of a few convenient stones to sit on and the trees to shelter from the "rain".

 We didn't get any views until much later, when we could see the windmills off Abergele as we approached the woods East of Gloddaeth Hall, and then had glimpses of the Great Orme as we passed the West side of St. David's College.

 Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Blue tit, Woodpigeon, Common buzzard, Dunnock, Eurasian jay, Barn swallow Goldfinch, Grey heron and House sparrow.

 Flowers seen today included: Red clover, White clover, Creeping buttercup, Common dandelion, Harebell, Rock rose, Hedge bindweed, Great willowherb, Lord's and Ladies, Common mallow, Small scabious and more that may be added later.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter was in agreeably good nick!